June 25, 2026, Update:

Construction on Medford Road continues with work on new water main recently being completed including the transfer of residential apartment building water services from the old water main to the new one. If you notice discoloration in your water because of this work, please run your cold water at the tap closest to your water meter for 10 minutes or so to clear your lines. You should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes but may last throughout the day until the contractor stops working. For more information, see the “Impacts to Me” section on the project webpage.

The storm drainage construction along Medford Road is also nearing completion together with placement of the gravel base for the new roadway. The contractor, Toebe Construction, expects to finish that work later this week. Placement of concrete curbs and driveway approaches has begun and will continue into next week. It started at Manchester Road (easterly end) and will progress westerly toward Saint Francis Drive. Access to driveways will be restricted for 3 to 4 days after this work is complete to allow the concrete to cure. Once the curbs and driveways are complete, the contractor will replace the concrete sidewalks and ramps that were previously removed and finish grade the gravel base in preparation for asphalt paving, which we anticipate will occur sometime soon after the Independence Day holiday. At present, we expect all the work on Medford Road to be complete and roadway open to traffic by mid-July, weather permitting.

Construction of the new water main will begin next week on Needham Road. Traffic will be maintained along the roadway together with access to residences; however, driveways will be temporarily blocked when the construction is occurring directly in front of or near them. The Contractor will coordinate access with residents and property owners.

Please check here for future project updates.

April 7, 2026, Update:

Beginning April 13, 2026, the Contractor, Toebe Construction, will mobilize and place temporary traffic control devices and set the road closure to begin Phase 1 construction on Medford Road between Saint Francis Drive and Manchester Road. Work will include replacing the aging public water mains; full depth removal and replacement of the existing asphalt pavement and underlying base; curb and driveway approach removal and replacement; storm drainage work; and upgrades to curb ramps and directly adjacent sidewalk as necessary to achieve PROWAG compliance.

During Phase 1, Medford Road will be closed in both directions between Saint Francis Drive and Manchester Road. Vehicular traffic will be detoured around this closure via Manchester Road, Washtenaw Avenue, East Stadium Boulevard, and Saint Francis Drive. Local traffic access to properties will be maintained. Pedestrian traffic will also be maintained, with detours posted as necessary during sidewalk and ramp replacement work. Lastly, in areas where on street parking is currently allowed it will be prohibited between the hours of 7AM and 8PM, except for Sundays and holidays.

In addition to the project work, DTE Energy will be replacing existing gas mains, house services, and meters, as required, within the project area. Their contractor, Miller Pipeline, will be coordinating these activities with those for the water main and resurfacing project.

Why is this project being done?

This is a continuation of projects in the Pattengill neighborhood to replace aging drinking water pipes, repair stormwater infrastructure to improve street drainage, and resurface roads in poor condition.

Work to be done

• Replacement of the aging public water mains, replacement of obsolete storm structures and complete street resurfacing of the following:
  • Needham Road from Medford Road to Manchester Road
  • Medford Road from St. Francis Drive to Manchester Road
  • Buckingham Road from Needham Road to Manchester Road
  • Buckingham Court
• The project will be constructed in two phases:
  • Phase 1 - Medford Road
  • Phase 2 - Needham Road, Buckingham Road and Buckingham Court

Funding

This project is funded by the City of Ann Arbor Street, Bridge and Sidewalk Millage, Water Fund and Storm Water Fund

Phase 1 - Medford Road will be closed to through traffic from St. Francis Drive to Manchester Road from April until approximately July 2. Through traffic should follow the posted detour for Phase 1.

Phase 2 - Medford Road will be reopened to through traffic however, Needham Road north of Manchester, Buckingham Road and Buckingham Court will be closed from approximately July 6 until the end of September. Through traffic should follow the posted detour for Phase 2.

Resident access may be limited during working hours in the construction area.

Detour details are available via the city’s road and lane closure page.

The contractor will be required to maintain the construction site for emergency vehicle access.

Water Discoloration

Most all the neighborhood water pipes in the project area are made from unlined cast iron, so as they age they can rust. The construction activities may disturb iron sediment from these pipes and cause water discoloration. If this occurs, please run your cold water at the tap closest to your water meter for 10 minutes or so to clear your lines. You should also flush your toilets once or twice. The water should run clear within a few minutes but may last until the evening when the work ends and more people are home to move the rusty water out of the system.

Please don't run warm water if possible when you notice discoloration, as this forces the discolored water into the water heater, mixing it with clear stored water. If you do get rusty water in your hot water heater, drain the hot water heater per the manufacturer's instructions. If your laundry becomes discolored from the use of rusty water, products like “Rover" can help remove temporary laundry coloration.

You may notice rust or particles trapped in your aerators, which can cause taste/odor if not removed. Learn how to clean your aerator at a2gov.org/WaterFAQ.

Iron is on EPA's list of Secondary Contaminants, which means it is an aesthetic issue in drinking water, but not a public health concern. Iron is not on EPA's list of Primary Drinking Water Regulations where EPA lists contaminants of public health concern, so the water is okay to use. That being said, please do contact the City of Ann Arbor if flushing doesn't clear up the issue so we can do more. You can reach us through A2fixit.

• “Orangeburg Piping” letters were mailed to residents the week of January 12, 2026.
• Residents will receive additional notification once the contractor has been secured.
• Detour Maps
  • Medford Road Detour Plan (Phase 1) (PDF)
    
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  • Needham/Buckingham Roads Detour Plan (Phase II) (PDF)
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